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Outlook Receiving Emails But Not Sending? Here’s the Fix!

Ritu Roy | fix How to's Outlook outlook error Software Technology | 7 minutes read | Modified on: 04-07-2025
outlook emails not sending

Email remains one of the most essential tools for communication in today’s digital world. When issues arise especially the inability to send emails they can cause major disruptions to both personal correspondence and professional productivity. A common problem faced by many Outlook users is the issue where Outlook receiving emails but not sending. This situation can be frustrating and confusing, especially when everything else appears to be working fine.

To maintain smooth and uninterrupted communication through Outlook, it’s important to resolve any issues that prevent emails from being sent.

In this article, you’ll gain a clear understanding of the problem and learn 8 effective solutions to fix the “Outlook not sending emails but receiving” issue. Additionally, we’ve addressed some of the most frequently asked questions from users to help you troubleshoot with confidence.

Common Causes of Outlook Not Sending Emails

Several factors can prevent Outlook from sending emails, even if it’s still receiving them. Here are the most common culprits:

  • Network Connection Issues – A stable internet connection is essential for email functionality. If your connection is weak or unstable, Outlook may fail to send emails while still being able to receive them.
  • Incorrect Email Account Settings – Misconfigured SMTP settings (used for sending emails) can prevent messages from being delivered, even if incoming mail works fine.
  • Outlook Server Issues – Sometimes, the problem lies with Microsoft’s own servers. A temporary outage or service disruption can interrupt outgoing mail services.
  • Antivirus or Firewall Interference – Security software can sometimes block Outlook from connecting to the mail server, especially when sending emails.
  • Large Attachments or Files – Emails with oversized attachments may get stuck in the Outbox or fail to send altogether.
  • Corrupt or Stuck Items in the Outbox – A jammed or corrupted Outbox can stop messages from being sent, even if other functions are working normally.

Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Before diving into more advanced fixes, start with these two simple checks. They often resolve the issue quickly:

1. Check Your Internet Connection
Make sure your computer is connected to a stable and active internet network. A weak or intermittent connection can prevent Outlook from sending emails.

2. Confirm Outlook is Online
Outlook must be in Online Mode to send or receive messages. If it’s set to Work Offline, outgoing emails will remain stuck in the Outbox.
To check, go to the Send/Receive tab and ensure Work Offline is not selected.

These basic steps often resolve the issue. If you’re still unable to send emails after verifying these, continue with the more detailed solutions below.

How to Fix the “Microsoft Outlook Can Receive But Not Send Emails” Issue

If you’re able to receive emails in Outlook but can’t send them, there are several possible solutions depending on the root cause. Below are 8 proven methods you can try:

Depending on what’s causing the problem, these solutions can help you get back to sending emails in Outlook. For instance, if the issue is related to the Outbox, clearing it may resolve the problem. If add-ins or antivirus software are interfering, disabling them can restore functionality.

If Outlook itself seems to be at fault, solutions like updating the app, repairing your profile, or recreating the email account can provide a fix.

Solution 1: Clear the Outbox

The Outbox in Outlook temporarily stores emails that are in the process of being sent. If emails get stuck here, it may prevent new messages from going out.

Clearing the Outbox can often resolve issues related to emails not sending, especially when large attachments or failed messages are clogging the queue.

Why This Works:

Removing stuck emails can free up system resources, reduce storage strain, and eliminate potential blockages that might be preventing Outlook from functioning properly.

Steps to Clear the Outbox:

  1. Open Outlook and go to the Outbox folder in the left-hand pane.
  2. Delete or move any emails that are stuck or unsent.
    • If the message includes large attachments, consider compressing the files or using a cloud-sharing service.
  3. Create a new email and try sending it to see if the issue is resolved.

If the problem persists after clearing the Outbox, move on to the next step: disabling Outlook Add-ins.

Solution 2: Disable Outlook Add-ins

Outlook Add-ins are designed to enhance functionality, but some can conflict with email operations, particularly when sending or syncing messages.

Why This Works:

Disabling problematic add-ins can eliminate background interference that may block Outlook from sending emails.

Steps to Disable Add-ins:

  1. Launch Outlook.
  2. Navigate to File > Options > Add-ins.
  3. At the bottom of the window, next to Manage: COM Add-ins, click Go.
  4. Uncheck the boxes for the add-ins you want to disable, then click OK.
  5. Restart Outlook and try sending an email.
  6. If it works, re-enable add-ins one at a time to identify the one causing the issue.

Tip: Once you identify the problematic add-in, consider removing it completely or reinstalling the latest version from a trusted source.

Solution 3: Check for Server Issues

If Outlook can receive but not send emails, the problem may be on the server side, especially with the SMTP (outgoing) server.

Why This Works:

Outlook includes a built-in tool to test server connections. Identifying a failed connection helps confirm if the issue is external.

Steps to Check Server Connection:

  1. Open Outlook and go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  2. Select your email account and click Change.
  3. Click Test Account Settings.
  4. Wait for the test to complete and check for error messages related to the SMTP server.

If you’re using Microsoft 365, you can also check real-time server status on the Microsoft Service Status page.

If the server is down, you’ll need to wait until Microsoft or your email provider resolves the issue.

Solution 4: Check Antivirus and Firewall Settings

Sometimes, overprotective security software can block Outlook’s ability to send emails.

Why This Works:

Temporarily disabling antivirus and firewall tools helps determine whether they’re interfering with Outlook’s communication.

Steps to Troubleshoot:

  1. Temporarily disable your antivirus software and Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Open Outlook and try sending an email.
  3. If the message is sent successfully:
    • Re-enable your antivirus and firewall.
    • Go to the settings of your security software and add Outlook (Outlook.exe) to the list of trusted applications.
  4. Send another test email to confirm the issue is resolved.

Important: Never leave your system unprotected for extended periods. Always re-enable your security software after testing.

Solution 5: Verify Email Account Settings

Incorrect SMTP settings are one of the most common reasons Outlook fails to send emails.

Why This Works:

Ensuring the correct outgoing server settings, port numbers, and encryption protocols prevents miscommunication with your mail server.

Steps to Verify Settings:

  1. In Outlook, go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  2. Select your email account and click Change.
  3. Confirm the SMTP server name, port number, and encryption type (SSL/TLS) are correct.
    • SMTP typically uses port 587 with STARTTLS, or port 465 with SSL, depending on your provider.
  4. Click Next > Finish and try sending an email.

Refer to your email service provider’s official documentation for the correct SMTP settings if you’re unsure.

Solution 6: Update Outlook

Running an outdated version of Outlook can lead to bugs, compatibility issues, and sending failures.

Why This Works:

Microsoft regularly releases updates that include bug fixes and performance improvements. Installing the latest version may resolve email-sending issues.

Steps to Update Outlook:

  1. Open Outlook and go to File > Office Account.
  2. Click Update Options > Update Now.
  3. Allow the updates to download and install, then restart Outlook.

Solution 7: Repair Your Outlook Profile

A corrupted Outlook profile can lead to various problems, including the inability to send emails.

Why This Works:

Repairing the profile restores default settings and fixes underlying issues without affecting your data.

Steps to Repair Outlook Profile:

  1. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  2. Select your email account and click Repair.
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the repair process.
  4. Restart Outlook and try sending an email again.

Solution 8: Recreate Your Email Account

If none of the above methods work, removing and re-adding your email account can help resolve persistent issues.

Why This Works:

This clears any misconfigured settings and allows Outlook to reset your account connection.

Steps to Recreate Your Email Account:

  1. Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings.
  2. Select your email account and click Remove.
  3. Restart Outlook.
  4. Go to File > Add Account, then re-enter your email credentials and configure settings as needed.

Conclusion

By following these 8 solutions, you should be able to resolve the issue of Outlook receiving emails but not sending. From clearing the Outbox to checking account settings and repairing profiles, these steps cover the most common causes.

If you’ve tried all of the above and the issue still persists, it may be time to consult with your IT department or reach out to Microsoft Support for professional assistance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why can I receive emails but not send them in Outlook?
This often happens due to incorrect SMTP settings, network connectivity issues, or interference from antivirus or firewall software.

2. How do I check my email settings in Outlook?
Go to File > Account Settings > Account Settings, select your email account, then click Change to review and update the server settings.

3. What should I do if my emails are stuck in the Outbox?
Go to the Outbox folder, delete or move any stuck messages, and reduce the size of large attachments before resending.

4. Can antivirus software affect my ability to send emails?
Yes. Antivirus or firewall programs can block Outlook’s connection to the mail server. Temporarily disabling them can help determine if they’re causing the issue.

5. How do I update Outlook to the latest version?
In Outlook, go to File > Office Account > Update Options > Update Now to check for and install any available updates.